Brooklyn, NY - Off-Duty Firefighter Lit Firecracker In His Kitchen

Brooklyn, NY - An off-duty firefighter lost at least three fingers on his right hand when he lit a powerful firecracker in the kitchen of his Brooklyn home - and it blew up as he tried to toss it out a window.
But the firefighter Michael Decker of Ladder Co. 118 insisted that it isn't so, only that he accidentally cut himself and refused to discuss the nature of his injury.

But police sources said Decker, 33, lit an illegal "blockbuster" firecracker in his home. An explosive that is banned in the United States.

A shotgun was also found in the firefighter's house, the source said.

When Decker was asked about the firecracker allegation, he insisted, "I don't know what you're talking about," but acknowledged, "There are a lot of fireworks in the neighborhood."